Joe Roddis

JOE RODDIS enlisted in the RAF in 1939 at the age of 17. He remained a member of groundcrew of Nos. 234 and 485 squadrons through until VE Day. He remained in the RAF during the developing Cold War. Having participated in the Berlin Airlift, Joe saw service with 3 Sqn on the Vampire and based in Germany. He then moved on to a crew chief role on the RAF’s Boeing B-29 Washingtons, followed by a stint on Valiants and Canberras with 617 Squadron. He also served operationally in Malaya. After earning his RAF Long Service Medal, Joe retired from the RAF, but stayed in aviation, taking up a post with Rolls-Royce at Derby. Joe passed away on 17 April 2017, aged 96.